Bienvenidos a BA

¡Hola amigos!

Where do I even begin? When we were in New Orleans we talked a lot about the "reverse culture shock" we would feel when finally returning to the US. I'm not one to be culture shocked, but I think what I felt when arriving in Buenos Aires was close enough. Buenos Aires is the polar opposite of Chennai.
Vegetarian vs meat lovers
No alcohol vs wine at every meal
Cover up every inch of your body vs let it all out and embrace
Being stared at vs making mutual eye contact (it's the little things)
Being super dependent on home stay family vs SO much independence

There is this passionate/sexy aura about Buenos Aires. The way they dance, talk, sing, eat, drink. I can't believe it's already been over a week since our arrival here. My days have been full of class, wine, ice cream, empanadas, fun markets, shopping, and a lot of walking. There are so many things to do, places to see in this city, I already feel like I don't have enough time.

My host mom is the cutest thing. She is a divorced woman without children. She says I'm "chic" and that we are a perfect match. She plays a mixture of jazz, Michael Buble, Hawaiian and classical music all day long. She wears pink everyday and serves food on these cute little trays. We bonded over our love for quinoa and leather. It was meant to be. I feel so lucky to be in another amazing home stay with a woman that I can learn so much from.

There's something about this city, I'm not sure what it is, but it makes me feel so at home and comfortable. (Maybe it's because I blend in and look semi-Argentinian with my tan from Goa) At times I feel like I'm back in Boston, it feels a little weird. (I swear the Latino club promoters are the same ones in Boston)

So happy and feel so lucky.
Muchos besos XOXO
E

What makes India...INDIA

I started a list about a week after arriving in Chennai called "what makes India...INDIA" in my journal. I have a half hour until I officially leave for the airport to start my journey to Buenos Aires and I figured it would be fitting to post the list. So here goes:

- head bob (it can mean yes, no, maybe, etc)

- Vanakkam

- Dal

- dosas

- Paati

- Sambar

- chutney - coconut is my fave

- "it is very good for health"

- toilets - holes in the ground (good quad workout)

- Kollywood

- Bollywood

- Rupees

- malas

- Siddha/Ayurveda

- bindis

- sarees

- Yoga on the roof of my appa and amma's home

- SO much noise

- mosquitoes/ mosquito zapping tennis racket thing

- drastically different cities/states

- blaring speakers from the temples starting at 5am

- tea and cookies every hour

- rickshaws

- GOA

- TAJ MAHAL

- "taxi? taxi?"

- the stares I get walking down the street, even though I feel like a local

- LOVE

- colors everywhere

- the hospitality and love and generosity I have received from my amma and appa

The list can go on forever. I am so thankful for my experience here, I cannot even put it into words. I said my final goodbyes to Amma and Appa tonight at our farewell dinner. They both teared up and soon I was getting emotional too. Even though I met them only a month ago, they are the biggest reason for my happiness and comfort in this crazy city. Can't wait to see them in Boston soon (hopefully).

Off to Argentina now, and I am so excited for a new city, new people, new vibes, new dress code, new everything! With Argentina comes a fresh new attitude and I can't wait to see what comes from the next month. 

OKAY time to go to the airport. VAMOS BUENOS AIRES! AY AY AY! 

Hasta luego mis amigos!

BESOS,

E 

READY TO GO TO BA (jk)

Spring Break

7am Spicejet flight to Delhi, 4 hour drive to Agra, 7 girls navigating India without any supervision. I feel like a local. We visited the mini Taj and caught glimpses of the real Taj Mahal from the other side of the river. We sat at the rooftop restaurant of our hotel, King Fishers in hand, Taj in the background, and everything was perfect. On our way to dinner we got a tuk tuk, and little did we know that would be the most memorable ride ever. Lala, our tuk tuk driver, insisted on fitting 7 girls in his tiny auto, and next thing we know, we are zooming down the narrow streets of Agra with potholes on both sides. Half of our bodies were hanging out, but Lala kept his cool the whole time. Us? Not so much.

The next morning we woke up bright and early to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise. I actually had butterflies, it kind of felt like a first date. No pictures, no words, nothing can do justice to the beauty, size, WONDER of the Taj Mahal. A symbol of love built by Shah Jahan for his wife after her death. I felt like a peanut in front of this huge thing, the real thing.

After a bouji night in Delhi and some sightseeing, Holly and I made our way to Goa, aka paradise. How can I describe Goa? Magical, fun, blue water, white sand, go with the flow, unreal. Our days have been spent exploring the different beaches along the coast of this small state full of European tourists and friendly native Goans. We made our way to the very top and naively thought we could walk along the beach back to our hotel. Let’s just say I felt like I was in a scene from Cast Away. We went jetskiing with our new friend Papou and had mojitos at sunset with another new friend, Khan, who runs our favorite beach shack.

Last night we went to the Saturday night market in Anjuna. I have never ever seen such a thing. I’m pretty sure we walked in silence, eyes wide, and jaw dropped the majority of the time. There were so many stands selling the most beautiful clothes, jewelry, bags, shoes, and food!! I wanted to bring everything home with me. To add to this surreal experience, there was Heather. A Canadian woman who moved to Goa with her Indian husband a few years ago. We stopped to ask them where they got their food and ended up having the most amazing conversation. The amount of times we have explained to people “we’re studying public health in India, Argentina, South Africa….” is impossible to count. Then there are those times when you tell someone who is actually listening, and is so intrigued, that it all feels worth it. They asked about our lives back home and told us they were so impressed by us, and it weirdly felt so good to hear. After a month in India, trying to make a place for ourselves here, it took one conversation for us to really feel like we’ve been doing it right. We exchanged numbers after taking notes of all of their restaurant/beach/yoga studio recommendations. It’s crazy how life puts people like Heather in our path.

Much love from Goa, Argentina SO soon ahhh!

XO

E

TAJ

Susnet in Goa

Saturday Night Market